Tomikel, John
Born: April 30, 1928, in Cuddy, Pennsylvania
Vocations: Professor, Author
Geographic Connection to Pennsylvania: Clarion; Clarion County; Edinboro & Corry; Erie County; California; Washington County; Meadville; Crawford County; Pittsburgh & Cuddy; Allegheny County

Keywords: Allegheny College, California University, Clarion University, Edinboro University, United States Army, University of Pittsburgh

Abstract: John Tomikel was born in Cuddy, Pennsylvania, in 1928. He received four advanced degrees, including a Bachelors of Science from Clarion State College and a Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh. He has been an earth sciences teacher and professor, spending a large portion of his career at California University in California, Pennsylvania. Tomikel is also a founder of the Pennsylvania Earth Science Teachers Society, as well as an author of fiction under a pseudonym. He currently lives in retirement in Corry, Pennsylvania.

Biography:

John Tomikel was born on April 30, 1928, in Cuddy, Pennsylvania. After high school, Tomikel attended Clarion State College (now Clarion University) and received a Bachelors of Science in 1950. Following graduation he enlisted in the United States Army and served from 1952-1954.

After serving in the army for two years, Tomikel then went on to obtain three more degrees: a Masters in Literature from the University of Pittsburgh (1956), a Masters of Science from Syracuse University (1962), and a Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh (1972). Tomikel also did graduate study at Allegheny College from 1958-1961.

Tomikel taught earth sciences at both the high school and college level. He held the position of Assistant Professor at California University in California, Pennsylvania from 1965-1966. From 1966-1972 Tomikel was an Associate Professor. He then was named Professor of Earth Sciences in 1972 until his retirement.

A founder of the Pennsylvania Earth Science Teachers Society, Tomikel is an expert in his field. He is the author of 24 books, including textbooks on natural resources, geography, and earth environments. In addition, Tomikel has published two books of poetry, two novels, and three travel diaries under a pseudonym. In his writing, he searches for and discusses a connection between poetry and science in general literature, as well as exploring questions about God and religion.

John Tomikel currently lives in retirement in Corry, Pennsylvania, having taught several classes at nearby Edinboro University through the 2004-2005 academic year.

Works:

Books

• An Agnostic Searches for God. Elgin, PA: Allegheny Press, 2001.

Poetry

• Six of One: Half Dozen of the Other. (with Eugene Robert Platt) Corry, PA: Allegheny Press, 1971.

Textbooks

• Edible Wild Plants of Pennsylvania and New York. Corry, PA: Allegheny Press, 1973.
• Exercises for an Introduction to Earth Science. Corry, PA: Allegheny Press, 1974.
• Basic Earth Science. Corry, PA: Allegheny Press, 1981.
• Survival Techniques. Corry, PA: Allegheny Press, 1984.
• Short Term Our Natural Resources: Environmental Science—Conservation. Corry, PA: Allegheny Press, 1995.

Travel Journals

• Yugoslavia: Poems, Notes, and Sketches. Corry, PA: Allegheny Press, 1973.
• Alaska Highway Journal Corry, PA: Allegheny Press, 1982.
• Russia and the Near Abroad. (with Bonnie Henderson) Corry, PA: Allegheny Press, 1996

Sources:

• “An Agnostic Searches for God.” Amazon.com. 2006. 28 Jan. 2006. <http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0910042837/ 103-9724518-8989435?v=glance&n=283155>.
• “John Tomikel.” The Gale Literary Database: Contemporary Authors Online. 15 June 2001. 28 Jan. 2006. <http://www.galenet.com>.

This biography was prepared by Kim Murray, Spring 2006.